Family lost in Tas bush phone for help

A family with four children has phoned police for help after getting lost in the Tasmanian wilderness.

The NSW couple aged in their 40s and their children, aged 10 to 17, got lost while hiking in the northeast Blue Tier Range Reserve on Tuesday and used a mobile phone to call for help at 7pm but kept walking until they were found at about 9pm.

"If you're going bushwalking - our message is simple - be prepared. Also if you ring authorities for assistance, stay put as we'll find you much quicker," acting Sergeant Rob Shepherd said.